No team has accumulated more points to this point in the season than the Washington Capitals, so it's no surprise NHL coaches have tabbed the Caps as the Stanley Cup favorites.
TSN's Bob McKenzie polled 27 head coaches between Jan. 23 and Jan. 25 for their opinions on the league landscape. Washington topped 16 coaches' ballots to win a title:
| Team | Votes |
| Washington Capitals | 16 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 9 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 1 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 1 |
The Capitals were the overwhelming winners in the Eastern Conference champions poll, collecting all but two votes, which went to the Tampa Bay Lightning.